Steam-loop connection for steam-boilers



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W. G. KERR. STEAM L001? GONNEGTION FOR STEAM BOILERS. No. 456,672. Patented July 28, 1891.

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W. O. KERR.- STEAM LOOP CONNECTION FOR STEAM BOILERS. No. 456,672.

Patented July 28, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVALTER O. KERR, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y., ASSlGNOR TO THE S"EAM LOOP AND SEPARATOR COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STEAM-LOOP CONNECTION FOR STEAM-BOILERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 456,672, dated July 28, 1891.

Application filed November 11, 1890. Serial No. 371,082- No model.)

To all w/wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VALTER C. KERR, a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in SteanrLoop Connections for Steam-Boilers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in steam-loops for returning to a boiler the water of condensation formed in a steam-pipe ora steam-using device supplied from said boiler.

The invention has for its object, first, to stimulate the action of the loop as a Water raising and returning device, and, secondly, the utilization of the heat taken from the steam in the condensing-chamber of the sys tem in such stimulation of its action.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings, which illustrates the preferred form of my inyention, shows in side elevation a steam-loop system of the character described in the patcut to \Villiam Irving, No. 394,859, dated Deceinber 18, 1888, said steam-loop being illustrated as connecting the steam-pipe leading to a steam-engine with the boiler. Figs. 2 and 3 show modified constructions for the simultaneous attainment of both objects of my invention, Fig. 2 indicating the drop-leg in vertical section and Fig. 3 the water-chamber of a boiler feed-line in vertical section.

First describing Fig. 1, A representsa boiler; B, a steam-engine; (l, a steam-supply pipe leading from the boiler to the engine; D, a steam-separator applied to the steam-pipe 0 near the engine, and E E E a steam-loop which takes the drainage from the separator I I) into the boiler A by the mode of operation set forth in said Irving patent. This steam-loop is composed of the three elements to Wit, the riser E, the elevated horizontal E,

over that of the steam-space above the said water column. The action of the apparatus, as set forth in said Irving patent, is to produce a constant flow of steam-carrying water from the foot of the riser E to the surface of the water column in the d rop-leg E this move ment of steam being induced by condensa tion in the horizontal E and in any space that may beattorded in the d rop-leg E above the water column. \Vhen the horizontal is very short, the coinlensing-surface thereof is proportionately limited and may be insnfficient. In other cases in which the horizontal is of considerable length the system may require to be given still greater force than is due to such length of horizontal. It is primarily for the purpose of increasing the force ofsuch stean'i-loops that my invention made. To this end the horizontal E, made of suitable size or provided with an enlargement or chamber F, has within it a condenser, which may be a pipe or coil G, through which passes a current of water. The pipe cooled by the water will of course rapidly condense the steam in the chamber, and the activity of steam movement in the loop will be come spondingly stimulated. The pipe may for the gel'ieral purpose of circulating water have connection with any preferred source of sup ply and may discharge at any desired point; but to utilize the heat thus taken from the steam I connect the terminals of the pipe or coil G with a feed-water pipe. In the present case I have shown it connected in a feedwater system comprising a pump II, of which the delivery-pipe I l connects with one end of the coil G, the other end of said coil connecting with a pipe I1 which delivers into the pipe II, which discharges into the boiler A. This construction in eltect combines a water-heater with the con(lensing-chamber of the steam-loop and presents a desirable means for utilizing the heat taken by the waterfrom the steam-loop in stimulating the act-ion of the latter, as set forth. The usual feed-Water heater may, if desired, be connected in either the pipe II or the pipe 11 As a desirable construction the pipe H is prolonged to connect with the pipe II, and such prolongation is provided with avalve h. The pipes H and II also have valves h 71 so that the pump may be made to deliver directlyinto the boiler I 1. The combination, with a steam-loop of when desired instead of through the coil G.

I11 the modification shown in Fig. 2 the feed water pipe H has a short descending portion II inserted in the upper end of the return pipe E of the loop and preferably of reduced size, as shown. The cold or relatively cool water delivered into the condensing-space of the loop by this pipe acts directly upon the steam to condense the latter more rapidly, and thus to quicken or strengthen the action of the loop as a water raising and returning device. In this construction the pipe E becomes the delivery-pipe of the feed-Water system.

In Fig. 3 is shown substantially a reversal of the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, in

the general character described, of a condenser arranged to act at the condensing-space of said loop.

2. The combination, with a steam-loop, of a pipe or coil arranged in thecondensing-space of said 100p and giving passage to a fluid of lower temperature than the steam in said space.

3. The combination, with a boiler and with a steam-loop connected with said boiler, of a feed-water pipe arranged to conduct the feedwater in condensing relation to the condensing-space of the steam-loop and delivering into the boiler.

i. In combination withasteam-loop, a feedwater pipe arranged to deliver its contents into the condensing-space of the loop.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VALTER O. KERR.

Witnesses:

OTIS L. WILLIAMS, E. H. SNIFFIN. 

